Empire of Illusion: Frank Dikötter on Why China Isn’t a Superpower | Uncommon Knowledge

Frank Dikötter is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution who has recently returned to the United States after living in Hong Kong since 2006. In this provocative conversation, Dikötter challenges the prevailing narrative about China’s rise. Drawing from his latest book, China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower, Dikötter argues that the Chinese Communist Party has masterfully projected the image of a powerful, modern, and economically dominant nation—but says that image is largely a façade. Recorded on March 27, 2025. For more details on this episode, visit: https://www.hoover.org/research/empire-illusion-frank-dikotter-why-china-isnt-superpower?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=uk_description Read "China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower" by Frank Dikötter: https://www.hoover.org/research/china-after-mao-rise-superpower?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=uk_description Watch more Uncommon Knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKruweaZqDNd413F3oSIAi_Pa8e6RB2Vc __________ The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University. © 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University. 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions: @HooverInstitution 👍 Like and share this video! 🌐 Follow us on social media: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooverInstStanford • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoover-institution-at-stanford-university • Instagram: https://instagram.com/hooverinstitution • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hooverinstitution • X: https://www.twitter.com/HooverInst